Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Experement: Dyeing silk roving

Today I dyed some silk roving samples. My thought is to blend them into batts (when I get a carding machine). Here I am going to explain the process as I did it step by step.***** I am making my disclamer here : The end results turned up a roving that was a little on the rough or "felted" side. Perhaps from being overhandled. I suppose I will have to do some experementation. Never the less it can be carded, it was really simple, although it may turn out a little slubby.

Materials;

* Silk roving (I used Blending silk from Paradise Fibers)

* 3 Bottles of Pebeo Silk Dye (my colors cyan, magenta and black .... I had run out of yellow)

1) OK first, separate off 8 sample sizes of roving. I made each between 1 - 1 1/2ft. in length, Soak them for about 30 min in warm water in a bowl. Gently drain out the excess water from the roving samples. Place each sample into a separate plastic zip lock baggie.

2) Make several mixtures of dye in various colors, you only need about 2-3 Tbsp. of dye/ liquid for this amount of silk, even less (add water) depending on the shade. I did most of mine full strength and at the end added water to the dye that was left for some lighter shades. Magenta and black, Magenta and cyan, cyan and black, Cyan and less magenta, etc. is how I formulated. You can measure by the teaspoon and record your results, I never do.

3) I then put each dye batch into the plastic baggie holding the roving and seal the zip lock and gently press againt the baggie until all the roving is covered in dye. This way your hands don't get messy. You can let that sit for 15 minutes (I have no patience for this part :)

4) Now lay down a piece of foil onto your work surface and on top of that a piece of newsprint paper. Remove the dyed roving from a bag and place it on top of the paper.

5) Next wrap the roving gift like in the news print.

6) Then wrap the newsprint gift again in the foil.

7) You will have a double wrapped silk roving that looks like this:

do this for all 8 pieces.

8) When they are all wrapped place them on a rack inside the pot of your steamer making sure not to touch the bottom of the pot. Add water up to the trivet (i use a stainless steel circular trivet and an old toaster oven rack that I bent to fit inside like a cradle) or whatever is elevating it from touching the bottom. turn on the burner bring to a boil with the lid on and turn flam to a level that will maintain a steady boil. Then place a brick (or a can of beans) on top and allow to steam for at least an hour and a half. Check periodically to make sure you have enough water.

9) After the steaming session is finished take the foil packets out carefully (use tongs). Bring them to a sink not used for food. Here you need synthrapol and warm water. Gently wash each sample until the water runs clear. Roll in a towel and gently squeeze out the excess water. Hang to dry. Viola!

Hi, Thanks for your question, because I steamed the little packets, I first removed them from the plastic and then wrapped them in paper to absorb residual dyes and then in foil to keep it together and maintain the heat. If not the dye would run into the other rovings. Hope that helps :)